Joseph Holland of Somers Keeps Perseverance in the Family

A 125 pound Pop Warner Football player probably feels pretty good about his chances on the gridiron. But when a league weight limit is leveled and permanently sidelines that youngster from participating, hopefully the disappointment is managed into an enduring life lesson. The school-aged child was Somers' Joe Holland and becoming an Academic All-American at Cornell, graduating Harvard Law School and having numerous professional successes shows that the right man was definitely in his corner.

"Perseverance must be learned to succeed, and you can't give up when things don't go your way," Holland remembers his father's enlightened counsel.

Like Father…

Jerome Holland spoke from experience. The only child of 13 to go to college from Auburn, New York, his All-American credentials from Cornell spoke much louder than the son’s. But the father’s resume still fell on deaf ears in 1939. One of the country's top players, Holland states flatly, "Jackie Robinson hadn't broken the color line yet."

The elder put his head down nonetheless. Jerome Holland continued his education and became president of Harrington College in Virginia. A strong work ethic modeled for Joe Holland, an ambassadorship to Sweden really left an impression on carrying on through controversy.

As the family embarked in 1970, Holland stood at the center of Sweden's vehement opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War. The post had been left vacated for several years in protest. But Jerome Holland refused to succumb to the vitriol and young Joe wasn't the only one who noticed. "I saw him in action. His grace and intelligence allowed him to represent U.S. interests in a way that defused pressure," said Holland

Football in Sweden didn't do justice to Joe's standing either. "They play soccer," he said. "But I really wanted to come home to New York and play football."

Like Son

The family finally took flight in 1973, and Roosevelt High in Yonkers was the beneficiary of Joe's ground game. He set the Westchester county record by averaging 200 plus yards per game and became a High School Football All-American.

Michigan University awaiting, his East Coast origins were deemed low born. "The only player from New York, I ran into some Big 10 football politics," Holland believes.

Thus, a sudden death was pronounced on his dreams of going pro. “This chapter was the most difficult part of growing up," Holland remembers.

Fortunately, his academic chops eased the playbook his father had long put in place. "That lesson in perseverance helped," he said.

Holland continued his father's legacy at Cornell and averaged more yards per game than Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims in 1978.

Holland gives back.

Outside the lines, Holland was aware of the civil rights movement but heeded his father's advice amongst all the nationwide campus protests. "The most important thing for you is to be a scholar athlete," Holland recalled.

Joe made the decision pay off. Rejecting several Wall Street offers, Holland’s career path followed a higher path and had him first opening a law firm in Harlem. Once established, Holland began a nonprofit called Harlem's Ark of Freedom to help the needy and the BETH-HARK Crisis Center during the crack epidemic. "It was really important that I give back," he said. "That was instilled by my parents.”

Holland continues his outreach today as a motivational speaker and accomplished author. He also helps churches maximize their missions through real state development as principal of Kingdom Partners Group. "To whom much is given, much is required," he quotes the bible.

Certainly making due, Holland hopes his three children can follow the example of the father—just as he's done.

Rich Monetti can be reached at [email protected]